Do EMG pickups need a battery?
All of the active guitar and bass pickups we make require a battery; the Select models are passive and don't need one. The active pre-amp, located in the pickup housing, is powered by this battery.
What kind of battery do EMGs need?
EMG active pickups and EQs are powered by a standard, rectangular 9 volt (IEC 6LR61/NEDA 1604A) battery. We recommend normal alkaline batteries (Eveready or Duracell, for example) for best results. These are the same batteries that you would use in an effects box or wireless unit and are widely available.
We do not recommend the use of rechargeable batteries in EMG systems. Although they are compatible electrically, typically you must fully discharge these batteries to preserve long life, which can be problematic in normal usage.
You can externally power your EMG system, although we do not provide parts for this option. We don't recommend doing this, however, as the you will require extremely high quality power filtering to equal the performance of a regular battery. Since the pickup is the very first stage of your system, it's particularly sensitive to noise.
Where is the battery located?
If your guitar came with EMG pickups as standard equipment, you may have a battery cavity with it's own cover. In most other cases, the battery is located in the main control cavity which is usually accessible by removing a cover plate. Stratocaster-type guitars don't have a cover plate - in this case, you would remove the pickguard to get access to the battery.
If you're thinking about installing an EMG system, look for a suitable location for the battery. Although it's tight on Strats, you often can fit the battery under the pots with little or no body modification.
Don't forget - most 9 volt batteries have a metal casing and should be insulated with foam or tape before installation.
